Investigation of potential products from coconut husks: a case of coconut zone regions -Tanzania

This dissertation presents investigation of potential coconut husk-based products which can be produced in Tanzania coast-belt so as to improve the life standard of farm holders, through generating job opportunities and selling value-added products from coconut husks. Based on p physical and mechanical properties of coconut husk constituents, production procedures, technology required and focusing on village level situation, cement-coir board was selected for investigation among many product possibilities. An experimental work was carried out to study the properties of three produced board samples, with mixing ratios by weight (cement, coir fiber and water), of 2:1:2, 1:1:1, 1:2:1 and one with 70% of cement by 30% of soaked fibers. The results showed that the board with mixing ratio of 2:1:2 overall was the best considering mechanical, physical and workability properties. This board can be used in construction of buildings, partial wall panels, roofing, flooring, ceiling, partitioning and for furniture components. The production technology for this board is simple and the manufacturing process requires equipment that do not need highly skilled labour, therefore it can be produced in village level situations. From the study it is concluded that there are many different coconut husk-based products that can be produced in Tanzania; thus, the government is needed to support agro processors on devising simple technology to produce these products so as to generate employments and increase income to coconut farm holders